Kennedy looks to partner with Milford businesses

During a Milford Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, newly elected U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III expressed his hope to work together with the region's business owners to stimulate economic recovery.

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 12:04 PM

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Feb. 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 12, 2013 at 12:04 PM

MILFORD

» Social News

During a Milford Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, newly elected U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III expressed his hope to work together with the region's business owners to stimulate economic recovery.

“The only way we’re going to have a better tomorrow is if the public and private sector are both active and engaged in seeking a solution,” said Kennedy, D-4th.

Kennedy, in his first public meeting with chamber members, praised business owners in the room for guiding the way and promised to help wherever he could.

“You need a pro-growth environment to be able to thrive,” Kennedy said. “That’s where I’d like to work with you. Government isn’t always the answer and it’s certainly not the only answer, but I believe it has a role to play in helping create an environment where your business succeeds.”

Kennedy said he’d work toward a simpler tax policy as well as smarter business and environmental regulations.

He said he’d work to eliminate inefficient regulations hindering businesses and unfunded mandates that are placing “backbreaking costs” on local municipalities.

“Our national budget woes are having a dire consequence on a local level. Businesses big and small across the commonwealth say uncertainty over our financial future continues to choke our economic recovery,” said Kennedy, calling for a bipartisan plan to tackle the budget deficit.

Kennedy asked local business leaders at the luncheon to give their input when it came to budget talks.

“Lend your credibility, expertise and insight to the cause of getting things done,” Kennedy said. “We need you at the table.”

Attendees of the luncheon said they were pleased with Kennedy’s plans to work with the local businesses.

“I thought he said, ‘I’m here to represent you and I want to channel your voices into the discussion,’” said David Price, vice president of the chamber, who was also a part of a private pre-meeting with Kennedy. “I thought that was the encouraging thing here.”

Chamber Chairman Mike Carroll praised Kennedy for clearly laying out his plans to assist local businesses and include them in his vision for the future.

“The vast majority of our membership is small businesses, who are the drivers of economic recovery,” said Barry Feingold, president and CEO of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce. “We need to have our voice in Washington.”

During a question-and-answer period, chamber member Ann Sherry of Charles River Bank asked Kennedy to look into reducing the regulations imposed by Congress on community banks.

“We’re not the ones who did bad things…but we’re feeling the tightening regulations,” Sherry said.

Kennedy said he agreed many of the regulations could be targeted toward the big banks instead.